The Most Popular Muslim Names in Indonesia: Trends Over the Decades

Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, has a rich tradition of naming children based on religious, cultural, and historical influences. Over the decades, popular names have reflected deep Islamic roots, local traditions, and global trends. This article explores the most popular Muslim names in Indonesia, their meanings, and their Arabic script.

Boys names

Name	Literal Meaning	Origin	Arabic
Muhammad	Praised, commendable	Arabic	محمد
Ahmad	Most praiseworthy	Arabic	أحمد
Rizky	Provision, sustenance	Indonesian, Arabic	رزقي
Fadhil	Virtuous, superior	Arabic	فاضل
Hafiz	Protector, guardian	Arabic	حافظ
Ilham	Inspiration, intuition	Arabic	إلهام
Zain	Beauty, adornment	Arabic	زين
Syafiq	Compassionate, merciful	Arabic	شفيق
Daffa	Defender, shield	Arabic	دفعة
Iqbal	Prosperity, acceptance	Arabic	إقبال

Girls names

Name	Literal Meaning	Origin	Arabic
Aisyah	Alive, living	Arabic	عائشة
Fatimah	Weaning, abstaining	Arabic	فاطمة
Nur	Light, radiance	Arabic	نور
Zahra	Bright, shining	Arabic	زهراء
Khadijah	Premature baby, trustworthy	Arabic	خديجة
Hana	Happiness, bliss	Arabic	هناء
Salsabila	Pure spring, fountain	Arabic	سلسبيلة
Rahma	Mercy, compassion	Arabic	رحمة
Zainab	Fragrant flower	Arabic	زينب
Naila	Attainer, achiever	Arabic	نائلة

Most Popular Muslim Names in Indonesia

Muhammad

One of the most common names in Indonesia, Muhammad is the name of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH). It means “praised” and carries significant religious and historical importance.

Ahmad

A variation of Muhammad, Ahmad means “most praiseworthy” and is another name of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), emphasizing his qualities of praise and commendation.

Rizky

Derived from the Arabic word “Rizq,” meaning “provision” or “sustenance,” Rizky is a commonly used name in Indonesia, signifying divine blessings and wealth.

Aisyah

Aisyah was the name of the wife (RA)of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and means “alive” or “living.” She is remembered for her intelligence and contributions to Islamic teachings.

Fatimah

Fatimah, the daughter (RA) of Prophet Muhammad (RA)(PBUH), carries the meaning of “abstaining” or “weaning.” She is revered for her piety and righteousness in Islamic history.

Nur

Nur means “light” and is often associated with spiritual enlightenment. The name is widely used across the Muslim world.

Zahra

Zahra, meaning “bright” or “shining,” is often associated with Fatimah Zahra, the daughter (RA) of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Khadijah

The first wife (RA) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Khadijah was known for her strong character and business acumen. Her name means “premature baby” but is more commonly associated with trustworthiness.

Hana

Hana means “happiness” or “bliss.” It is a simple yet elegant name commonly given to girls in Indonesia and the broader Muslim world.

Salsabila

Salsabila refers to a spring in paradise mentioned in the Quran. It symbolizes purity and heavenly blessings.

Most Popular Muslim Names in Indonesia

These most popular Muslim names in Indonesia are heavily influenced by Arabic and Islamic traditions while incorporating local and cultural elements. Over the decades, names like Muhammad, Fatimah, and Aisyah have remained timeless, while modern variations such as Rizky and Salsabila are growing in popularity. Whether parents choose classic or contemporary names, they often look for meanings that reflect positive attributes and spiritual significance.